Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Three categories of Saudi citizens under the age of 21 have been exempted from obtaining permission from their guardians for travel. They are foreign scholarship students, employees taking part in official trips abroad with a letter of consent from the employer, and those who are married. This provision is contained in the new amendments made in the Travel Documents Regulation that were approved by the Council of Ministers recently.

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) on Monday published on its electronic portal the new amendments which allow a woman to apply for and obtain a passport without requiring the approval of her male guardian. The amendments included granting the same rights to males and females above 21 years of age, and travel permit for custody of minors. According to the amendments, all Saudis under the age of 21 need to have the permission from their guardian for obtaining travel documents. However, there are exemptions for three categories. As for foreign scholarship students, they need to produce a certificate from the Ministry of Education in this regard. In the case of a minor whose father died, mother will be the guardian, according to the amendments.